Nancy Mattison Endows $1.2M Maxwell Graduate

Syracuse University has received a $1.2 million gift from alumna Nancy A. Mattison, Ph.D., ’69. The donation creates an endowed graduate scholarship fund at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Mattison says the gift is intended to help students overcome financial barriers to graduate education. She hopes it will allow them to engage in their studies sooner. According to Mattison, financing an education presents challenges that can cause some to forego a graduate program.

Her own career in international healthcare policy was sparked by her Maxwell undergraduate degree in international studies. Mattison says each career opportunity was possible in part because of that strong grounding. She worked for Novartis and Roche in the U.S. before moving to Switzerland. Later, she headed the London-based Pharmaceutical Partners for Better Healthcare and founded her own consultancy.

A Focus on International Relations

The new fund is called The Nancy Mattison ’69 Endowed Graduate Scholarship. It will provide scholarship and financial assistance to Maxwell graduate students. A preference will be given to those pursuing a master’s degree in international relations. The scholarship is enhanced in part by the University's Syracuse Promise scholarship initiative.

Mattison believes Maxwell develops thinkers and leaders who seize opportunities and solve global problems. "Education clearly expands and hones one’s ability to understand how different countries and cultures view the world," she says. She adds that universities are where future leaders who can think critically will come from.

Leadership and Global Citizenship

Maxwell Dean David M. Van Slyke calls Mattison the embodiment of a global citizen. He notes her career focused on improving global health. Her philanthropy, he states, maintains that vision by allowing students to pursue similarly meaningful careers.

Chancellor J. Michael Haynie says Mattison’s foresight aligns with the University's historic commitment. He references providing opportunities to talented students who dream big but need support. The Syracuse Promise initiative, activated by donors like Mattison, ensures ambitious dreams remain within reach, he said.

Mattison was inspired by what she calls the "rocking chair theory." This involves considering decisions through the lens of one's elder years. She asked herself if she would regret not taking risks, like moving to Europe to advance as a woman.

Lasting Impact and Inspiration

The gift combines an estate provision with current funding. This allows the scholarship to be active now, so Mattison can see its impact during her lifetime. She has previously established a smaller endowed scholarship in her mother’s name at Keuka College.

Mattison is currently writing a biography of her mother, Doris A. Mattison G’60, who earned an M.A. from Syracuse's School of Education in 1960. She describes her mother as an extraordinary ordinary woman who made a difference.

With this new gift, Mattison aims to inspire new generations. "Without reliable leaders, and thoughtful voters, the future is bleak," she says. Supporting Maxwell's outstanding programs seemed the right choice, particularly at this point in history.